CD Review
Jay McShann
Goin' To Kansas City
Stony Plain SPCD 1286
by Dave Thomas
Review date: April 2004
|
|
"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
| |
Jay McShann is a living legend in the blues and at 87 he has just released his third Stony Plain album. The sleeve notes indicate that the album was recorded over several years with solo piano songs and a full band comprising of Duke Robbillard on guitar, Milt Able on bass and Tommy Ruskin playing drums.
The album starts off with Jay's signature song "Kansas City" which is a joy to hear as it bounces along with plenty of swing. There is another version of "Kansas City (Revisited) in which he is joined by Johnny Johnson, both Jay & Johnny seem to be really enjoying the action together. "Some Kinda Crazy" sees Jay & Johnny joining forces again on this instrumental boogie, which is wonderful. "Confessing The Blues" which Jay wrote many many years ago, has a new twist by teaming Jay up with Maria Maldaur. Duke Robbillard's guitar work on the lovely "Nasty Attitude" is a great match to Jay's superb piano playing, but it is on "My Chile" that we get the real best piano playing from Jay. A favourite of mine is "Trouble In Mind" with Jay's lovely vocal the highlight of the song. "The Fish Fry Boogie" is a compelling solo boogie from Jay and he does a good job on "Ain't Nobody's Business". "Fore Day Rider" is a bluesy piece that has some good exchanges between Duke Robbillard's guitar and Jay's piano.
The Cd finishes with an interview by Holger Peterson with Jay at home at his piano and is an highly enjoyable 19 minutes of storytelling and Jay discussing his early years. The album is a delight from start to finish and full marks must go to Holger Peterson who produced this album and did a brilliant job of showcasing the 87 year old Jay McSann a true legend.
Stony Plain website www.stonyplainrecords.com
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 by Dave Thomas, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.
|
Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com
Copyright © 2004 Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.
|
|